Brazil’s decades-long debate over casino legalization has hit another roadblock after Senate leaders once again postponed a key vote on a bill that would allow integrated resorts featuring slot machines, table games, and other forms of gambling.
According to SBC News Brazil, Senate leadership decided to delay consideration of Bill No. 2234 due to a low quorum. The measure, which passed the Chamber of Deputies in June 2024 by a narrow 260–238 margin, has since stalled in the Federal Senate.
“Given today’s quorum — 56 out of 81 senators — several members currently on official trips abroad asked that the deliberation be postponed so they can be present when the matter is voted on,” said Senate President Davi Alcumbre. “We have senators abroad who support the bill and others who oppose it.”
Casinos Deferred Once More
With a population of over 212 million, Brazil has been exploring the legalization of casinos, bingo, parimutuel betting, and the popular Jogo de Bicho for more than three decades. Global operators, including Las Vegas Sands, have expressed strong interest in entering the market once legislation is approved.
Proponents argue that legal casinos could stimulate tourism, attract major conventions, and generate significant investment, employment, and tax revenue — similar to the economic boosts seen in Las Vegas and Singapore.
The late Sheldon Adelson, founder and former CEO of Sands, visited São Paulo in 2017 and expressed his intent to develop “one or more integrated resorts” in Brazil. Eight years later, the debate remains unresolved.
Opponents, however, point to the country’s conservative and religious base, claiming voters are against expanding gambling beyond the recently legalized online sports betting and iGaming sector. “Making a mistake once is understandable. Making a mistake twice is not,” said Sen. Eduardo Girão (New Party–Ceará), criticizing the 2024 legalization of online gaming.
Lawmakers originally backed online regulation to curb unlicensed gambling dens and criminally run bookmakers by providing a safe, legal alternative.
Across South America, several countries — including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay — already operate legal casino venues, leaving Brazil as a notable outlier.
Future Uncertain
Casino legislation in Brazil was first introduced in 1990, but decades of political and social opposition have kept the issue unresolved. With this week’s delay, the timeline for legalization remains uncertain — and may stretch well beyond 2025.
Brazil’s postponement comes as another major market, Thailand, also shelved its casino bill this year, signaling a challenging environment for new global gaming destinations.
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